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Evaluation of the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field in the management of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.

International journal of diabetes in developing countries · 2009 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 3358

In both PEMF groups (600 Hz and 800 Hz), the study reports significant reduction in pain and statistically significant (P<0.05) improvement in distal latency and nerve conduction velocity compared with baseline (and relative to the control group as described).

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of diabetes in developing countries · 2009
Study typerandomized_trial
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

AIM: The study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effect of low power, low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) of 600 and 800 Hz, respectively, in management of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: The study was a randomized controlled trial performed in Guru Nanak Dev University and Medical College, Amritsar, India with different subject experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty subjects within an age group of 40-68 years with diabetic polyneuropathy stages N1a, N1b, N2a were randomly allocated to groups 1, 2, 3 with 10 subjects in each. Group 1 and 2 were treated with low power 600 and 800-Hz PEMF for 30 min for 12 consecutive days. Group 3 served as control on usual medical treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The subjects with neuropathy due to any cause other than diabetes were excluded. The pain and motor nerve conduction parameters (distal latency, amplitude, nerve conduction velocity) were assessed before and after treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Related t-test and unrelated t-test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Significant reduction in pain and statistically significant (P<0.05) improvement in distal latency and nerve conduction velocity were seen in experimental group 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Low-frequency PEMF can be used as an adjunct in reducing neuropathic pain as well as for retarding the progression of neuropathy in a short span of time.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationAdults aged 40–68 years with diabetic polyneuropathy (stages N1a, N1b, N2a)
Sample size30
ExposureELF · 30 min for 12 consecutive days
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In both PEMF groups (600 Hz and 800 Hz), the study reports significant reduction in pain and statistically significant (P<0.05) improvement in distal latency and nerve conduction velocity compared with baseline (and relative to the control group as described).

Outcomes measured

  • Pain
  • Motor nerve conduction parameters: distal latency
  • Motor nerve conduction parameters: amplitude
  • Motor nerve conduction parameters: nerve conduction velocity

Limitations

  • Small sample size (10 per group)
  • Short treatment duration (12 days)
  • Power/intensity of PEMF not quantified beyond 'low power'
  • Blinding/sham control not described in the abstract
  • Amplitude outcome mentioned as assessed but results for amplitude not reported in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "therapeutic PEMF device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min for 12 consecutive days"
  },
  "population": "Adults aged 40–68 years with diabetic polyneuropathy (stages N1a, N1b, N2a)",
  "sample_size": 30,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain",
    "Motor nerve conduction parameters: distal latency",
    "Motor nerve conduction parameters: amplitude",
    "Motor nerve conduction parameters: nerve conduction velocity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In both PEMF groups (600 Hz and 800 Hz), the study reports significant reduction in pain and statistically significant (P<0.05) improvement in distal latency and nerve conduction velocity compared with baseline (and relative to the control group as described).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (10 per group)",
    "Short treatment duration (12 days)",
    "Power/intensity of PEMF not quantified beyond 'low power'",
    "Blinding/sham control not described in the abstract",
    "Amplitude outcome mentioned as assessed but results for amplitude not reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "PEMF",
    "low frequency",
    "600 Hz",
    "800 Hz",
    "diabetic polyneuropathy",
    "neuropathic pain",
    "nerve conduction velocity",
    "randomized controlled trial"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4103/0973-3930.53121
PubMed: 20142869

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